eVGA ACS³ Thermal Solution Thoughts

[JackPack]

nV's solution (will probably be used on the 7800 Ultra) looks far better.

 

[ir0nw0lf]

We have a typical 7800GTX with 430MHz core for $480
We have the BFG 460MHz core with a lifetime warranty for $550.
We have the XFX with a 490MHz core for $550.
We have the eVGA with a 490MHz core and lifetime warranty for $600.
Seems that even if we ignore the fancy cooler the eVGA card has the highest clockspeed and the best warranty.

I've looked and looked, but I still can't find it: when did eVGA start offering lifetime warranties (I thought they were 1-year and 1 extra year for registering your card online) and where is it mentioned this card in question has a lifetime warranty?

 

[Torgo]

Unless the metal in this 'revolutionary' cooling system is made of gold, there is no way that crap is worth $120.00.

Copper is better than gold at conducting heat.

The order of preference is: Diamond > Silver > Copper > Gold > Aluminum > Brass > Platinum > Steel > Lead > Mercury > Quartz > Ice > Glass > Water > Wood ...

Note: No one uses Diamonds as heat sinks for obvious reasons, but the next best thing are carbon rods of the type used in nuclear reactors. It even saved the space shuttle.

 

[Ruiner]

oh nOEs!!! Marketing shens!!!
Why is anybody surprised here?
A $500 pricetag for a graphics card is silly enough as it is. This is just par for the course. Maybe they will plaster big boobies all over that shmancy cover to woo the fan-bois.

With the sales reaction nvidia got at this price level, I'm guessing the next top-line card will debut at $600. Viagra for your E-penOr!

 

[Ruiner]

nV's solution (will probably be used on the 7800 Ultra) looks far better.


[IG]http://www.trustedreviews.com/images/article/inline/1712-4500.jpg[/IMG]

Very sharp air cooler.

 

[Majin]

my company is trying to break into this market which is dominated by them. Most of what they sell is overpriced for what you get.... For the same money you can buy one of my systems that is faster with a custom built case. I personally designed it and it is only available through us with a cooling system that is again far better than a prebuilt "kit". When the consumer buys my machine the additional cost is not covering some shiny sticker attachment plate but improved technology that will give them a better experience.

Whats your web site?
I want to check out your stuff.

 

[Mazgazine1]

Time to threadjack!:

Wow, the Quadro 7800 cooler is freaking awesome!

I'd buy that for the $50.. no wait its the quadro.. extra uhh. $5000? lol, same card different bios..

 

[Kurtis]

i think that is hilarious that they would market such a lame cooler as anything special. of course the consumer has no idea that it is nothing special.

with our new flat metal plate technology, we will ensure that your video card reaches sub-zero temperatures! yes....

i also find it interesting that with so much room for marketing on the face of the cooler, that's the best design they came up with. i think it's ugly.

 

[magoo]

I've looked and looked, but I still can't find it: when did eVGA start offering lifetime warranties (I thought they were 1-year and 1 extra year for registering your card online) and where is it mentioned this card in question has a lifetime warranty?

Dude go to the eVGA web page, look at the fancy pop-up ads that scroll across. It advertises their new KO product with th elifetime warranty. You are correct, until today they had 1+1 warranties, but I assume from the webpage that if you buy the spanky KO you will receive a lifetime warranty. I also assume it is that product only, not their others but I could be wrong and have not looked deep within to find out.

 

[Kurtis]

nV's solution (will probably be used on the 7800 Ultra) looks far better.

Interesting. It looks to me as though nvidia jacked the design of that cooler from ATI's X850 XT cooler design. I could be wrong, but it looks like it is pulling air in from the front edge of the card and exhausting it out the back. I think this is a much better solution that the typical type that sucks air from under the card.

 

[V0ltage]

All they did was put a metal plate over the stock cooler. That plate better be made out of solid awesome.

 

[RogerX]

This is not like the bullshit marketeers backed by bankrupt CEOs like over at, uh, what's that place call, uhh... oh yeah, "Infinium Labs."

Kyle I have backed you for 7 years and sent you tips and tidbits, and everyone loves your off-the-cuff, irreverant-yet-funny, "Keepin' it real and tellin' it how it is" style. But come on, three rounds of outbursts against eVGA seems like a real waste of breath. You've told us all your opinion (and obviously I am inclined to agree that a completely non-innovative, LAME GPU cooler is not worth a $120 price premium)... but now that we know that, I really don't think we need to dwell on it. They're not ripping anyone off by creative marketing... it's not a lie that it's patented or that it's a cooling system.

Can we just say "It's lame. Don't pay extra for it," and go on our way? Do we need o keep dragging up the fact they didn't answer your previous inquiries or address your technical concerns? Or that they refuse to send you further review product? I understand how this chafes your chaps, but c'mon man, be the bigger dude and let it go.

I lose just a little piece of respect for the site every time you have to resort to this kind of stuff. I understood that you were out of pocket for a lot of legal fees because of Infinium, but this one isn't worth any more or anyone's time.

In my opinion, anyway. Hey, it's your site.

 

[cell_491]

This is not like the bullshit marketeers backed by bankrupt CEOs like over at, uh, what's that place call, uhh... oh yeah, "Infinium Labs."

Kyle I have backed you for 7 years and sent you tips and tidbits, and everyone loves your off-the-cuff, irreverant-yet-funny, "Keepin' it real and tellin' it how it is" style. But come on, three rounds of outbursts against eVGA seems like a real waste of breath. You've told us all your opinion (and obviously I am inclined to agree that a completely non-innovative, LAME GPU cooler is not worth a $120 price premium)... but now that we know that, I really don't think we need to dwell on it. They're not ripping anyone off by creative marketing... it's not a lie that it's patented or that it's a cooling system.

Can we just say "It's lame. Don't pay extra for it," and go on our way? Do we need o keep dragging up the fact they didn't answer your previous inquiries or address your technical concerns? Or that they refuse to send you further review product? I understand how this chafes your chaps, but c'mon man, be the bigger dude and let it go.

I lose just a little piece of respect for the site every time you have to resort to this kind of stuff. I understood that you were out of pocket for a lot of legal fees because of Infinium, but this one isn't worth any more or anyone's time.

In my opinion, anyway. Hey, it's your site.

you say youve been sending him tidbits of info for 7 years yet your still a noobie....personally i think kyle has good reason to think low of evga and im glad he keeps it real because ive based several purchases on kyles reviews and everytime he gives it positive feedback the product tends to be pretty damn good

 

[FrgMstr]

This is not like the bullshit marketeers backed by bankrupt CEOs like over at, uh, what's that place call, uhh... oh yeah, "Infinium Labs."

Kyle I have backed you for 7 years and sent you tips and tidbits, and everyone loves your off-the-cuff, irreverant-yet-funny, "Keepin' it real and tellin' it how it is" style. But come on, three rounds of outbursts against eVGA seems like a real waste of breath. You've told us all your opinion (and obviously I am inclined to agree that a completely non-innovative, LAME GPU cooler is not worth a $120 price premium)... but now that we know that, I really don't think we need to dwell on it. They're not ripping anyone off by creative marketing... it's not a lie that it's patented or that it's a cooling system.

Can we just say "It's lame. Don't pay extra for it," and go on our way? Do we need o keep dragging up the fact they didn't answer your previous inquiries or address your technical concerns? Or that they refuse to send you further review product? I understand how this chafes your chaps, but c'mon man, be the bigger dude and let it go.

I lose just a little piece of respect for the site every time you have to resort to this kind of stuff. I understood that you were out of pocket for a lot of legal fees because of Infinium, but this one isn't worth any more or anyone's time.

In my opinion, anyway. Hey, it's your site.

Actually until today, we had said nothing about the ACS3 product itself. And in fact, not saying anything about it going on sale would be remiss. And yes, I do think people need to be reminded of their actions in the past, because that is highly likely the way they are going to act in the future.

If being the bigger dude is ignoring a problem in our industry after making one news post a couple weeks ago, well, I am just glad I am not relying on you to help me out with my buying decisions.

I have been doing this a long time and the fact of the matter is that I have never seen one company refuse to send us review product that ended up kicking ass in the market place. The fact is that refusal to work with us is a damn good barometer in my experience. That all said, eVGA called this morning letting me know that they would not charge me for the card. I declined. I paid 6 bills for the card, and I may publicly cry about it every day just to piss you off. JK.

I would count on hearing about it even more as time passes, so be warned. If you find the truth so very painful, I would suggest clicking that Red X in the upper right hand corner of your browswer whenever you see "hardocp.com" arrive in the address window.

They keep selling it, we will keep talking about it.

 

[RogerX]

it is when more money is being asked for it to purchase

Brent, don't take it so personally. I know you are towing the party line here and are probably pissed at being snubbed by eVGA for reviews and being referred to negatively on their website. Isn't the best revenge living a good life? You do great reviews, but what eVGA is doing is no different than what the guy at CompUSA did to my mother in law in 1996 when he sold her on a pretty Sony PC for $1500 more than the offbrand by telling her it had "extra burst cache!!!" Marketing gets people with money to part with it.

eVGA is trying to make a buck, and if they are selling a lame product (and not simply false advertising, which they do not appear to be doing), word is going to get out. It has. Now again, can we let it go? Please??

PS--

Dare I mention that marketing Newegg deals, banner ads, and RATPADZ(tm) (with ULTRASLICK(tm) gaming surface!) sales fund the site? And marketing criticism is a slippery slope. [H] does not go over the top at all compared to some, but:

..."Yes, a RatpadzGS™ can make your desktop experience that much more enjoyable."

I've had one for years and it's the best I've ever had... but unless it's giving me oral satisfaction I am not on board with saying it makes my desktop experience THAT much more enjoyable!

 

[FrgMstr]

Brent, don't take it so personally. I know you are towing the party line here and are probably pissed at being snubbed by eVGA for reviews and being referred to negatively on their website. Isn't the best revenge living a good life? You do great reviews, but what eVGA is doing is no different than what the guy at CompUSA did to my mother in law in 1996 when he sold her on a pretty Sony PC for $1500 more than the offbrand by telling her it had "extra burst cache!!!" Marketing gets people with money to part with it.

Dare I mention that marketing Newegg deals, banner ads, and RATPADZ(tm) (with ULTRACLICK(tm) surface!) sales fund the site? eVGA is trying to make a buck, and if they are selling a lame product (and not simply false advertising, which they do not appear to be doing), word is going to get out. It has. Now again, can we let it go? Please??

Brent is never involved with the business end of HardOCP. So just so you know, you have no idea what you are talking about.

Marketing is one things, lies are another. I am glad you do not manage my checkbook.

 

[Aaron_ATX]

Clearly its the uh, signature 50cent version of the card. You know, all, uh, bulletproof and whatnot, dawg.

 

[RogerX]

you say youve been sending him tidbits of info for 7 years yet your still a noobie....personally i think kyle has good reason to think low of evga and im glad he keeps it real because ive based several purchases on kyles reviews and everytime he gives it positive feedback the product tends to be pretty damn good

I'll whip out the emails from 1998 if you NEED me to, buddy. I didn't log into the forums for a year or so after my son was born and my email address lapsed... my aco!!!! was purged. See my .sig.

Also, if you read my email with an unbiased eye, you will see I agree with Kyle, I just don't think this fight needs to be front page news 4 more times before the end of the month, with escalation of "their website said we were lame, but who is lame now, ha ha!" crap. I've bought many items on Kyle, Steve and Brent's advice, and I've bought from NewEgg exclusively since their sponsorship, in addition to buying from other vendors such as AZZO and other placed in the past. So please don't read more into what I'm writing than you need to. Kyle has a good reason to "think low" of eVGA but we don't want to end up with a reason to "think low" of Kyle, that's all I'm saying.

 

[Equalizer]

Will we be seeing a review of this card anytime soon?

thanks

 

[FrgMstr]

Will we be seeing a review of this card anytime soon?

thanks

Well, we bought it, and I will likely be handling the cooling side of it personally. Given that QuakeCon is about here and we do a pretty large event there, and it counts as a vacation week for me. I would look to the end of the month.

 

[cell_491]

Kyle has a good reason to "think low" of eVGA but we don't want to end up with a reason to "think low" of Kyle, that's all I'm saying.

Why would i ever think low of kyle...hes never lied to us before or made somthing seem better just so he could advertise for companies that send him free stuff...Kyle you're the man and dont let anyone every make you feel otherwise (as if you give a damn what they think anyway )

 

[DaveNCheez]

While I agree that the cover does nothing, and they are charging for nothing.....

We do need to keep in mind they are only charging an extra $50 not $120... as teh MSRP is always higher than that of a Hot Deal.

Also not knowing much about the cooler, whether it helps or not, if the heatsink on the Card is copper and the original card has an aluminum heat sink, then the price would be about in line with other "Delux cooler" add-ons.

Does that mean that the end user will see any difference? no... not at all....
But that wouldn't be all that sneaky compared to what other graphics cards makers have added for $50...

 

[FrgMstr]

KB Networks doesn't pay Brent Justice for his reviews on HardOCP.com? I never claimed he does do the business dealings, I'm saying he has a vested interested in supporting his employer.

I never claimed to know your business dealings other than the obvious, and that is you have a quid-pro-quo with Newegg and banner ad providers, and are selling your own product on the side. And if I managed your checkbook, you would be in serious trouble because I suck at it!!

You say things like "OK give me feedback here" and a nice friendly discussion opens up, and it turns into personal attacks. And if you claim that the recent tone of "patent critique" on the front page isn't tempered by being burned by crappy experiences with eVGA in the past, and aren't starting to decent into childish personal attacks... well I would disagree with you.

Please take this up in another thread as it is not topical for this discussion. Please.

And what I asked for, just so you can comprehend, is opinions on a THERMAL SOLUTION, not whether or not I have posted about it more times than you like.

Again, should you wish to discuss other issues, post them in a thread of their own in our off topic forum and I will happily address them directly.

 

[nullvector]

I think in the end, all that matters is results. I guess we'll see how it performs when the test results come in, (but I think we all have a good clue what theyre going to be ) Marketing can be spotted a mile away.

Those among us who are really enthusiasts would buy a card, strip it from its retail heatsink, and install a heatsink on it that resembles something the size of the eiffel tower, and equip it with a drivetrain comparable to an Apache chopper, you know, the kind of video card mod that makes your neighbors think you're harboring alien life in your house.

So for the most part, this whole evga thing doesnt even register on my radar, too much money for a graphics card, for a cooling solution that I wouldnt buy anyway based on just how it looks..I think the issue with it should be dropped, we all know what petty marketing is, have seen it many times over with almost every company out there, so I dont see the difference with this product...Id rather read about products that ARE good, rather than ones who just sound good on paper.

 

[DaCoOlNeSs]

personally, I would buy the card just because it looks badass. but not for 120 more...

 

[revenant]

I don't see what the problem is... if mfgs make crappy and gimmicky products, calling them for doing it everytime is just what should be done, imo.
!!

SOrry. no more OT from me. promise.

 

[Chris_B]

We do need to keep in mind they are only charging an extra $50 not $120.

$50 for a piece of sprayed green aluminium? Fuck that, id rather cut up some coke cans and stick them to the card or use my own custom cooler.
http://www.hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1028046528&postcount=79

 

[FrgMstr]

personally, I would buy the card just because it looks badass. but not for 120 more...

I really like the all-black look. Needs a black PCB. MMM....

 

[moetop]

I don't see what the problem is... if mfgs make crappy and gimmicky products, calling them for doing it everytime is just what should be done, imo.
!!

SOrry. no more OT from me. promise.

I guess the problem is we dont see the actual review at the top of the page yet.

 

[FrgMstr]

I guess the problem is we dont see the actual review at the top of the page yet.

Yeah, better watch out, I have opinions on all sorts of things that I have not spent 80 hours evaluating.

 

[Torgo]

/donning fireproof suit

Interesting how this happens every six months like clockwork.

Kyle: I found something interesting that makes me mad. It should make you mad too.
Reader #1: You're right! We love you Kyle! I <3 HardOCP!
Reader #2: You've gone too far Kyle! Your callous attitude is changing the site!
Kyle: Don't like it, don't come back. I'll have proof later.
Reader #1: Yeah! Right on! Shut up Reader #2!
Reader #2: You STFU Reader #1! Flame on!
Reader #1: Flame back!
Kyle: Okay, here's the proof. Have a nice day.
Reader #1: w00t! Kyle is my hero!
Reader #2: Well, you were right except for (nitpick). I'm never coming back though. (Logs in later that day to check reponses.)

Repeat after 6 months

 

[FrgMstr]

/donning fireproof suit

Interesting how this happens every six months like clockwork.

Kyle: I found something interesting that makes me mad. It should make you mad too.
Reader #1: You're right! We love you Kyle! I <3 HardOCP!
Reader #2: You've gone too far Kyle! Your callous attitude is changing the site!
Kyle: Don't like it, don't come back. I'll have proof later.
Reader #1: Yeah! Right on! Shut up Reader #2!
Reader #2: You STFU Reader #1! Flame on!
Reader #1: Flame back!
Kyle: Okay, here's the proof. Have a nice day.
Reader #1: w00t! Kyle is my hero!
Reader #2: Well, you were right except for (nitpick). I'm never coming back though. (Logs in later that day to check reponses.)

Repeat after 6 months

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is pretty funny. True, but funny.

Just keep in mind, we could have fully missed this cycle.....but I have no control over that.

 

[cell_491]

/donning fireproof suit

Interesting how this happens every six months like clockwork.

Kyle: I found something interesting that makes me mad. It should make you mad too.
Reader #1: You're right! We love you Kyle! I <3 HardOCP!
Reader #2: You've gone too far Kyle! Your callous attitude is changing the site!
Kyle: Don't like it, don't come back. I'll have proof later.
Reader #1: Yeah! Right on! Shut up Reader #2!
Reader #2: You STFU Reader #1! Flame on!
Reader #1: Flame back!
Kyle: Okay, here's the proof. Have a nice day.
Reader #1: w00t! Kyle is my hero!
Reader #2: Well, you were right except for (nitpick). I'm never coming back though. (Logs in later that day to check reponses.)

Repeat after 6 months

pretty much and it shows that reader #1 knows enough about kyles oppinions to know that he should value them...kyle is vary rarely wrong and honestly its pretty damn clear that this new cooler thingy is a load of crap...whether or not is worth the additional $50 is another question, I personally would pay the extra $50 just because it looks badass

 

[cell_491]

We need more black PCB stuff.

have you seen that white pcb for that new sapphire mobo...that shit is badass

 

[ignitionxvi]

in the past i haven't always stood up for what kyle has done...iirc correctly i may have posted a thread in the rules forum...but thats neither here nor there However, i do agree with what he is doing in this situation, because they are marketing it as a better COOLING design, when it is really nothing special at all. If they said "hey, its 50 dollars more, your card might aesthetically please you more, has a better warranty, and gives you more speed" i would say hey thats fine. but since its specifically WE HAVE A PATENT FOR THIS AWESOME NEW COOLER but its really is nothing special at all, i have a problem with it. don't lie about some "awesome new technology" when you're just trying to scam more money out of the consumer.

 

[zoobaby]

/donning fireproof suit

Interesting how this happens every six months like clockwork.

Kyle: I found something interesting that makes me mad. It should make you mad too.
Reader #1: You're right! We love you Kyle! I <3 HardOCP!
Reader #2: You've gone too far Kyle! Your callous attitude is changing the site!
Kyle: Don't like it, don't come back. I'll have proof later.
Reader #1: Yeah! Right on! Shut up Reader #2!
Reader #2: You STFU Reader #1! Flame on!
Reader #1: Flame back!
Kyle: Okay, here's the proof. Have a nice day.
Reader #1: w00t! Kyle is my hero!
Reader #2: Well, you were right except for (nitpick). I'm never coming back though. (Logs in later that day to check reponses.)

Repeat after 6 months

Torgo...you are my new hero...

When you review this Kyle, I assume you will do a side by side with a vendor that uses just the stock cooler and post temp differences as well as OC differences? That metal cover looks like it may trap more heat than dissipate.

 

[CrimandEvil]

have you seen that white pcb for that new sapphire mobo...that shit is badass

I so want that mobo.

/off topic
Seeing that large expansive covering I would naturally assume that there are some heatpipes or some sort of "souped up" cooling going on underneath it. Too bad there isn't.

I would like to see how thier "new GF4" cooler compares to something like XFX's 490mhz 7800 since that uses the stock cooler.

Too bad, I kind of like the look of a covering like that.

 

[JSquid]

i paid 600 for my evga 7800gtx the day it came out. it's clocked at 450/1200 and hits 500/1300 it also has a life time warranty. This is my 3rd evga card and i have not had a problem yet.

 

[Majin]

You're right! We love you Kyle! I <3 HardOCP



Kyle, much like I told you in the PM the other day.
Thanks for this awesome site.
The reviews posted here are among the best on the net.
I make it a habit of reading Your reviews before researching into a product I may like; you just save my time!

Keep up the stance with crummy products and keep [H]ard on eVGA, they will realize they need to change their ways.!

 

[stonedwaldo420]

Personally, I have no problem with eVGA deceiving less knowledgeable consumers!!
Why???
Well, hopefully it will help them generate more income. If they then use that extra income to lower the price of their standard cards (already some of the best prices in the industry), then great.
That means that the lower cost of my eVGA card is partially funded by the extra $$ that rich, less knowledgeable gamers spent. To me, that is sort of like being given a discount for reading sites like [H].